A TEENAGER has been charged with attempted murder after a man had a hand hacked off during a machete attack in Frankston North. Police called to a “domestic incident” at a home in The Pines at about 1.30am on Tuesday (27 March) found a man in his 40s missing a severed hand. The man’s 19-year-old nephew allegedly cut off the hand, located nearby by police, during a fight after an argument. Police seized a machete at the scene. Frankston crime investigation unit detective Senior Constable Ashley Eames said a 19-year-old Frankston North man was arrested and interviewed at Frankston Police…
Month: March 2018
Police are appealing for public assistance to help locate missing 11-year-old Ben Hodson. Ben was last seen on 25th March 2018 in the Mount Eliza area. Police have concerns for his welfare due to his age and the length of time he has been missing. Ben is 155cm tall with a skinny build, fair complexion and blonde hair. Ben is known to frequent the Hastings and Frankston areas. Police have also released an image of Ben in the hope someone recognises him and can provide information regarding his current whereabouts. Anyone with information about Ben is asked to contact Mornington…
WHITE bike rider Chris Savage rode into Canberra on Sunday night to complete his 1700 kilometre journey highlighting the need for improved road safety. His ride honoured former student Joel Hawkins, 17, of Mt Martha, who died in hospital after being struck by a car in Dromana in June 2015. A white bike marks the accident scene near the corner of Marine Parade and Nepean Highway. On Monday (yesterday) the cycling coach rode a 17-kilometre loop of the capital before meeting up with Flinders MP Greg Hunt and delivering his road safety message at Parliament House. Mr Hunt was among…
THE Royal Australian Navy’s largest warship HMAS Adelaide arrived in Port Melbourne on Friday after steaming from a temporary berth at HMAS Cerberus in Western Port. The Sydney-based frigate is 230 metres long and can transport 100 vehicles, 18 helicopters and 1000 troops. Captain Jonathan Earley skippered the vessel in her first return to Melbourne since she was assembled at Williamstown in 2012. The visit allowed the navy to resupply the vessel and give its crew some shore leave at a time when the city was hosting the Formula One Grand Prix, AFL round one and International Flower and Garden…
THE crew of a catamaran which capsized on Western Port Bay on Sunday 25 March were assisted by members of Pt Leo Surf Life Saving Club who saw the boat in trouble from the shore. The three crewmen, who had sailed the 5.8 metre craft from Phillip Island, were all wearing lifejackets and were in the water for only a short time before the club’s rubber ducky arrived at 12.30pm. A lifesaver jumped in to help get them get their craft upright and they then sailed it back to Ventnor. Sergeant John Cannon, of Hastings police, said “extremely strong winds”…
THE Fair Work Commission may be asked to intervene in the “restructuring” of a department by Mornington Peninsula Shire. It is understood that the nearly 40-strong shire’s rangers and local laws team have been told they may be facing redundancies or have to reapply for their positions. Environment protection manager John Rankine told The News on Friday 9 March that the shire was yet to make a decision. “The shire is currently undertaking a consultation process with its staff and it is inappropriate to comment while the staff consultation phase is underway,” Mr Rankine said. “The shire respects the consultation…
A SMOKING ceremony at Somerville Primary School last week was “one piece of a much larger picture at the school”, acting principal Andrew Haley said. Adam Magennis, of the Bunurong Land Council, conducted the ceremony at a special assembly with pupils’ involvement, Friday 23 March. “As a school we are focusing on acknowledging the traditional land owners, both past and present,” Mr Haley said. “It is vital as a school that we continue to raise awareness within our school community and acknowledge the Aboriginal people. “It is powerful for our students to know the customs and traditions of our traditional…
DROMANA Football Club will host the annual Good Friday clash against Rye Football Club on Friday 30 March. The “local derby” between the two division two sides will be played at Dromana Recreation Reserve with the O’Rourke-Matthews Shield up for grabs. Dromana Football Club president Chris Strange said it will be a great local rivalry and promises to be a great day. “We just missed out on finals last year and got put into Division Two this year so we are probably at the top of the hill when it comes to this division,” Strange said. “Rye has recruited well…
THE father-son combination of Jamie and Sam Hodic, from Crib Point, has created history on Sunday 18 March as they guided the Melbourne Glacier’s Ice Hockey team to their first national title. Jamie, who took up coaching for the first time this season, and his son Sam, who captained the under-21’s side, created a memorable comeback, from last to first, to claim gold in the grand-final at the O’Brien Group Arena in Melbourne. Having finished at the bottom of ladder for the 2017/18 season, the Glaciers scored a wildcard entry into the finals series having been the hosts for the…
THE WOMEN’S Peninsula Surfriders are set for the national championships next month after taking out the Victorian and South Australian Sailor Jerry Surftag Qualifier at Rye Back Beach on Saturday 17 March. The Women’s Peninsula team (29.69) consisting of Hannah Trigger, Vee Bieber, Claudia Daymond, Nina Sinclair and Charlee West charged the chunky conditions to finish nearly 20-points clear of Torquay (10.33). Peninsula surfrider Charlee West was stoked with the victory and now has her sights set on the national championships at the Gold Coast on Friday 27 April. “It’s so special to be a part of this team representing…
BLAIRGOWRIE Boxer Jayde Mitchell returned in winning form on Saturday 17 March defeating South American boxer Ariel Alejandro Zampedri at the Melbourne Pavilion. Mitchell proved that his neck injury was no longer an issue, moving freely around the ring, and claiming victory in the third round of the fight. “The neck held up fine. I got clipped a couple of times and it held up brilliantly so there’s no issue at all and I couldn’t be happier with the way the night went,” Mitchell said. “It was all about recovering from the surgery and being comfortable and confident in the…
SOCCER FRANKSTON Pines and Somerville Eagles were the only local teams to start the 2018 State League season on a winning note. Pines head coach Paul Williams gave starts to Mitch Landers, Naseer Mohammed, Aaryn Rix and CJ Hodgson and used their pace and ability to transition quickly to hurt home team Heatherton United on Saturday eventually running out a 2-0 winner in their State 2 South-East contest. Heatherton was caught on the break half a dozen times with former Pines’ keeper Alfonso Cardinale making a fine save to deny Landers from converting Pines’ best first-half chance. It took a…
SUB-DISTRICT By Mr & Mrs IT Gully TEN overs could mean the difference between a win and a loss, even in local cricket. At stumps on day one of the sub-district grand final between Dromana and Carrum, Dromana was in total command with the score at 5/140 after pushing through 70 overs on the rain-affected first day. For the Lions, several players got starts with the bat, but none of them pushed on to make a significant dent on the scoreboard. The bonus for the Lions was that they resumed day two with Jake D’Atri and Dylan Stead not out…
DISTRICT By Mr & Mrs IT Gully TORRENTIAL rain may not have affected first XI matches in all other divisional grand finals, but all roads will lead to Skye this Saturday afternoon when Baden Powell and Heatherhill finish their grand final battle. The run-ups were unplayable and despite best efforts to at least start the match, both captains agreed to start the grand final fresh on Sunday. At tea on the second day (Sunday) Baden Powell who won the toss and elected to bat, were 2/68 with Rhys Elmi ticking the scoreboard over nicely. Baden Powell legend John Harrison made…
PENINSULA By Mr & Mrs IT Gully THERE have been many teams over the journey who have had nightmares in local cricket. Unfortunately for Main Ridge skipper Nick Jewell, that nightmare has become a habit. Looking for a change of luck, Jewell crossed to Main Ridge after losing a couple of grand finals at Sorrento. Despite the unquestionable talent the bad luck continued to follow him. Jewell’s Main Ridge finished day one after 57.3 overs on 8/74. Shaun Foster top scored with 36 (Foster’s old team Carrum was defending 7/200 against Dromana who were 3/57 at tea on day 2).…
PROVINCIAL By Mr & Mrs IT Gully LANGWARRIN has been crowned Mornington Peninsula Association Provincial Champions after beating Mt Eliza. The Kangas, defending 180, had Mt Eliza reeling at 5/47 at tea on day two after 22 overs, with Lyle House and Justin Grant back in the sheds. Langwarrin skipper Travis Campbell, who’s no stranger to premierships at Edithvale, was on fire for the Kangas snaring 4/25 off 12 overs at the tea break. At the other end, arguably the best all rounder on the Peninsula, Matt Prosser was tweaking some magic of his own, bowling seven overs for a…
ONE day last week Mr T. Reeves, Frankston, received word from the Defence Departement to the effect that his son, Gunner C. Reeves, had been admitted to Sutton Veny Military Hospital, England, on 23/1/18, suffering from gastritis. We trust that Mr and Mrs Reeves will hear better news of their young soldier son, who although only a lad of seventeen, has been fighting nobly; has been badly wounded, and gone back to fight again. *** A MEETING of residents of Frankston was held at the Mechanics on Tuesday to take steps to erect a memorial at Frankston to the memory…
HONOURING a father’s memory is on the mind of the family of a former manager at Frankston’s Peninsula Aquatic Recreation Centre. Ex-PARC building and asset leader Sam Newman, a Skye father of five, passed away last April after a long and difficult fight against leukaemia. Two of his sons Deagan, 6, and Kaden, 8, joined pa Michael Tinetti at the swim and sports centre on Friday 16 March to participate in the World’s Greatest Shave to raise money for The Leukaemia Foundation. Mr Tinetti plans to take part in the charity event each year and about $3500 was raised from…
THIEVES ransacked 14 cars outside houses in Mt Martha, overnight Sunday 18 March. Detective Sergeant Alan Paxton, of Somerville CIU, said items including tools, coins and phones were stolen from “mainly unlocked cars” parked in Stanley and Paramount crescents, and on Bruce, Ponyara, and Bradford roads. Thieves hit cars in Sorrento the next night, taking similar items from cars parked in Labuan Street, as well as Coppin, Bowan and Melbourne roads. Many of the cars were said to be unlocked. A car in Point Nepean Road had its number plates stolen. “People are still leaving valuables, such as phones, wallets,…
A NEW police unit will tackle the scourge of drug dealing and trafficking across the Frankston and Mornington Peninsula region. The newly merged unit of Frankston and peninsula-based officers will be based at Mornington Police Station and will share information about dealers to crack down on drug-related crime. Detective Senior Sergeant Michael Lamb will lead the unit and has a simple message for drug traffickers. “If you’re a drug dealer rest assured we’re coming for you,” he said. Detective Lamb, also the Liberal Party preferred candidate for Frankston at November’s state election, said merging resources between Frankston and the peninsula…
A MOTORBIKE rider came a cropper while fleeing coppers after clipping the wheel of a 4 wheel drive on Frankston-Flinders Road near Balnarring on Tuesday 20 March. The 33-year-old Bittern rider decided to avoid a police roadside testing operation at Hodgins Road and “booted it” on a Harley Davidson bike. His bike crossed the road line and clipped the 4WD travelling in the opposite direction along Frankston-Flinders Road. The rider, believed to be unlicensed, was airlifted to The Alfred hospital with a broken arm and leg and facial injuries. The driver of the 4WD was unharmed. First published in the…
A MAN was treated for the after effects of smoke inhalation in the wake of a fire at Volitans Avenue, Mt Eliza on Tuesday 20 March. The 47-year-old heard “a crackling noise” and discovered the rear deck and fence on fire. CFA firefighters brought the blaze, described by police as “potentially suspicious” under control, and the fire caused about $20,000 worth of damage to the deck, fence, BBQ and deck furniture. Anyone with any information should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential crime report at crimestoppersvic.com.au online. First published in the Mornington News – 27 March…
SIXTEEN graduates from the African Children’s Choir will sing in Mt Martha next month. As members of Ubuntu Africa they will spend a week on the Mornington Peninsula as part of a “grass roots cultural exchange” arranged by Mornington Church of Christ, Two Bays Choir and Mornington Community Singers. “Watching participants from both sides learn about each other’s cultures is one of the highlights of the tour,” Kwaya Australia president and founder Marsha Gusti said. The singers will eat at an Aussie barbecue, eat fish and chips at the beach, visit The Briars and shop at the Wednesday Mornington market.…
By Barry Morris IT was a windy day with reptiles slithering, veggies growing, insects, bugs and spiders crawling, poo composting, water and plastic recycling and the sounds of frogs croaking. But there was nothing to fear or complain about as it was all part of the 35th Mornington Peninsula Schools Environment Week at The Briars historic property, Mt Martha. Teachers and volunteers over the week (19-22 March) were instilling in more than 2000 schoolchildren the belief that they can make a difference to the world by living a sustainable life. Indigenous leaders taught children about Victorian Aboriginal culture and the…
A QUARREL with their telephone provider reached crisis-point for long-established Mornington fishermen Neville and Dalton Hutchins late last year when their phone was cut off. The brothers – who can trace their commercial fishing roots off Mornington and Mt Martha beaches back to 1855 – admittedly “let things get away a bit” when approached by NBN technicians and their service provider to buy modems and adaptors to reconnect to the new service in September. “The whole thing sort of scared me,” Neville admitted. “I’m not a tech-head, I’m a fisherman, and I suppose I let things drift a bit. To…
EASTER and the school holidays are fast approaching, making this a timely reminder to take care on the roads. “Obey the road rules and don’t endanger yourself, your passengers or other road users,” Acting Sergeant Julia Starkey, of Rosebud police, said. On 20 December last year, an 18-year-old Caulfield East man who had held a red-Ps probationary licence for only four months was involved in a single vehicle collision on Browns Road, Rye. His damaged car ended up in trees on the centre median strip. Police estimate the man was travelling at 130kph in a 60kph zone. He has been…
THE 1ST TOOTGAROOK scouts group used Clean Up Australia Day to spread the message on reducing beach litter – and in the process won a photo competition beating scouts from all over Australia. The 24 children in the group cleaned one kilometre of foreshore over three hours, collecting 32kg of rubbish. They chose 555 pieces to create a colourful map of Australia which won them a digital camera. Joey scout leader Noel Bangs received an email from Clean Up Australia praised the photograph for its “presentation of the wide range of items collected, and the creativity and effort involved”. The…
THE federal government is partnering with Moon lit Sanctuary, Pearcedale to build an aviary for young orange-bellied parrots to survive their first winter. Research has shown that a high proportion of the endangered parrots born in the wild fail to survive their first migration across Bass Strait to Tasmania. “With only 50 adults left in the wild, and around 350 adult birds in captivity, we need to increase the breeding population – every bird matters here,” Flinders MP Greg Hunt said. “Using this technique, known as ranching, the birds will be released back into the wild population in Tasmania next…
THE Easter weekend is starting indoors for a group of Mornington Peninsula artists who like to paint outdoors. Members of Peninsula Plein Air Painters begin their holiday weekend early with their annual exhibition opening on Thursday, March 29. Artist Miodrag Jankovic will officially open the exhibition being held at the Sorrento Activity Centre daily until Easter Monday. Members of the group can be seen on any Thursday at such scenic places as Mothers Beach, Mornington, Millionaires Walk, Portsea, Arthurs Seat or Cape Schanck. Plein air painting originated through the French impressionists and notable Australian plein air landscape artists include McCubbin,…
A WESTERN Port fisherman whose kayak started taking water before sinking last week told rescuers he feared not making it home to see his newborn baby and two other children. The 35-year-old, of Noble Park, had been shark fishing. He said he cut his lines when he noticed water rising inside his kayak and paddled as fast as he could towards shore until it sank – taking his wallet, keys and phone with it. He was left floundering for an hour in deep water about three kilometres off Balnarring, 2.30pm, Thursday 22 March. The man told his rescuers he was…